§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has issued to health boards in Scotland relating to the diagnosis, recognition and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis; and if he will make a statement. [24075]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAs a matter of principle, the Government do not issue clinical guidance, since that is the responsibility of the medical profession.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will support the campaign to make the people of Scotland more aware of myalgic encephalomyelitis, if he will increase official recognition of the disease; and if he will make a statement. [24099]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonWe recognise myalgic encephalomyelitis as a potentially debilitating and distressing complex, and would support informed efforts to raise awareness of the condition, which is increasingly being referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome.
We have awarded the ME Association a three-year core grant under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 476W 1978. One of the association's main aims is to increase public awareness of the condition.